Nestled in the scenic Illinois River Valley lies the Dickson Mounds Museum, a fascinating archaeological site and museum that offers an unparalleled glimpse into the lives of the Native Americans who called this region home for over 12,000 years. The museum is most famous for the more than 3,000 ancient human skeletons that were excavated from the site‘s burial mounds, some of which were controversially displayed to the public for decades. But beyond the skeletons themselves, Dickson Mounds has much to teach us about the rich cultures and long history of Illinois‘ first peoples.
The Mississippian Culture at Dickson Mounds
The Native Americans who built the burial mounds at Dickson Mounds were part of the Mississippian culture, a complex civilization that flourished in the Midwestern, Eastern, and Southeastern United States between approximately 800 CE and 1600 CE. The Mississippians were known for their large, agriculturally-based settlements, often centered around massive earthen mounds that served as platforms for important buildings and ceremonial spaces.
At Dickson Mounds, archaeologists have uncovered evidence of a thriving Mississippian settlement that was occupied from around 800 CE to 1250 CE. The site contains at least ten burial mounds, a large platform mound, and the remains of several hundred structures, including homes, storage pits, and work areas (Colannino-Meeks & Zych, 2018).
The burial mounds at Dickson Mounds were used for centuries and contain the remains of individuals from all walks of life in Mississippian society. According to Timothy Pauketat, an archaeologist at the University of Illinois who has studied the site extensively, the mounds "include the remains of men and women, old and young, and people of both high and low status" (Pauketat, 2004, p. 8).
Some of the most notable burials at Dickson Mounds include:
- Mound 1, which contained the remains of over 500 individuals buried between 950-1050 CE
- The burial of a high-status male in his late 40s, found with a large copper breastplate, shell beads, and other valuable grave goods
- The skeleton of a young woman with a rare genetic disorder called osteogenesis imperfecta, which causes brittle bones and short stature
Archaeology and Controversy at Dickson Mounds
The archaeology of Dickson Mounds began in 1927, when chiropractor Don Dickson started excavating the ancient burial mounds on his family‘s farm. Dickson unearthed 237 skeletons from the mounds, but rather than remove them, he made the controversial decision to leave them in situ and build a private museum around them. For over 60 years, visitors to the Dickson Mounds Museum could view the exposed skeletons within the burial mounds.
In the 1980s, Native American activists began to protest the display of the skeletons as disrespectful and insensitive. "These are human beings who deserve to be reburied with respect and dignity," argued Michael Haney, director of the United Indian Nations of Oklahoma (Honan, 1990).
The controversy at Dickson Mounds reflected a broader national conversation about the ethics of archaeology and the rights of Indigenous peoples. In 1990, the United States Congress passed the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), which requires federally funded museums to repatriate Native American human remains and cultural artifacts to their respective tribes.
In response to NAGPRA and the concerns of Native American groups, the skeletal exhibit at Dickson Mounds was finally closed in 1992. "We have no business, we who are not Native American, telling Native American people how they should feel," explained Judith Franke, the director of the Illinois State Museum (Honan, 1990).
Visiting Dickson Mounds Today
While the exposed skeletons are no longer on view, the Dickson Mounds Museum remains an essential site for learning about Illinois‘ ancient past. The museum features extensive exhibits on the archaeology of the region, including artifacts like pottery, tools, and jewelry that provide insight into Mississippian life.
One highlight of the museum is the excavated remains of three Mississippian structures that visitors can view. The structures include a typical Mississippian home, a larger building that may have been used for ceremonies or community gatherings, and a sweatlodge used for ritual purification.
The museum also offers a variety of educational programs and events throughout the year, including archaeology and history lectures, hands-on activities for kids, and demonstrations of traditional Native American crafts and technologies.
But perhaps the most impressive aspect of Dickson Mounds is its beautiful natural setting. The museum grounds cover 235 acres of pristine woodland and prairie along the Illinois River. Visitors can hike miles of trails, spot local wildlife, and take in stunning vistas of the river valley. The landscape looks much as it would have in Mississippian times, offering a tangible connection to the past.
What We Can Learn from Dickson Mounds
The story of Dickson Mounds is in many ways the story of North America. For thousands of years, Indigenous peoples like the Mississippians thrived in the continent‘s river valleys, building monumental earthworks and large, complex communities. But the arrival of European colonizers brought disease, warfare, and displacement, leading to the tragic decline of many Native American cultures.
By studying and preserving sites like Dickson Mounds, archaeologists and historians can help illuminate the long history of the Americas before Columbus and lift up the voices and experiences of Indigenous peoples often marginalized in conventional historical narratives. At the same time, the controversies around the excavation and display of Native American remains at Dickson Mounds underscore the need for archaeologists to work closely with descendant communities and respect their wishes and beliefs.
As visitors to Dickson Mounds walk the trails and take in the exhibits, they have an opportunity to reflect on both the triumphs and the struggles of the land‘s first inhabitants. By understanding the past and honoring those who came before, we can build a more just and equitable future for all.
References
- Colannino-Meeks, A. L., & Zych, T. J. (2018). Mississippian Households and Communities at the Audrey-North Site, Dickson Mounds, Illinois. Southeastern Archaeology, 37(1), 22-37.
- Honan, W. H. (1990, April 22). Indian Skeletons Spark Dispute. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/1990/04/22/us/indian-skeletons-spark-dispute.html
- Pauketat, T. R. (2004). Ancient Cahokia and the Mississippians. Cambridge University Press.
